On Saturday Brods Men's 1st XV welcomed Doncaster Phoenix in the last game of the regular season of Regional North East Two. This was a key game for the Brods as they needed 5 points from the game to be certain of a home game in the first round of play offs next week. Whilst languishing at the bottom of the table without a win all season, the visitors, already relegated, were looking to go out of the league with a bang and fielded a full-strength team.

On an unseasonably cold afternoon the visitors commenced proceedings kicking off up the Woodhead slope into a strong wind. The Brods, resplendent in their yellow change strip, fielded the ball cleanly and fly half Kelly put in a huge kick to the visitors 22. From the line out, a Brods’ steal and drive took play to within 10 metres of the visitors’ line, where scrum half Hodkinson spread the ball across the line to find Curtis Taylor, who strode over the line unopposed for Brods’ first score. The try was converted by Kelly taking the score to 7-0 after just 2 minutes.

It was now Donny’s turn to enjoy some possession, and following a couple of Brods’ infringements, kicks to the Brods’ 22 gave Doncaster good field position. It was becoming clear that the visitors’ primary attacking option was to drive for the line with their big forwards. In short order the visitors scored, driving over from short range. The conversion was missed but at 7-5 after 7 minutes played gave the home side something to think about. The visitors were more than holding their own and from the Brods’ restart, broke the home line and raced up field before losing the ball. Some minutes later, following a Brods’ scrum, Kelly relieved pressure with a towering kick to the visitors’ 22. Another line out steal and drive took play nearer the tryline where once again the ball was spread across the threequarters where this time Harry Dunne crossed unopposed for a try. Although the conversion seemed initially successful it was timed out and disallowed as Kelly had to improvise with a drop kick after initially the ball blew over off the tee. Score now 12-5 after 15 minutes played.

From the kick off Brods were penalised and following a succession of penalties to Doncaster, they were pressing the Brods’ line again. Donny were certainly getting the rub of the green with marginal decisions on scrums and penalties, and holding possession well, denying possession from the Brods. Eventually a sloppy kick from Phoenix was fielded by Dom Georgiou close to his line, who then broke through the heart of the visitors’ defence to race a full 90 metres in a spectacular manner to be tackled 5 metres short of the line. The ball was recovered by the supporting Curtis Taylor who broke clear and scored. The Kelly conversion was successful with the score now standing at a more respectable 19-5 to the home side after 22 minutes.

For the next 10 minutes or so, play followed the same pattern with the visitors enjoying plenty of possession and driving up the slope retaining possession but offering no threat to the Brods’ line. Then on 29 minutes the game came to life with the Brods scoring 4 tries in the next 17 minutes. First, Hodkinson put in a clearing kick to the visitors 22 which was knocked on by the visiting full back. From the following scrum, Kelly, looking for a gap, delayed his pass to the on-rushing centre, Hesletine, who broke through the line to score with consummate ease, taking the score to 26-5 with the conversion. This was the bonus point fourth try the Brods were seeking.

A few minutes later, the Brods were in again, this time through the young Leo Kemp, who had the measure of his opposing wing, racing through from 30 metres. 33-5 to Brods after a successful conversion. 33 minutes gone.

The purple patch continued almost from the restart when ambitious Brods attacked again and continued pressing downfield. Kelly put the mercurial Kemp clear from 40 metres and the elusive wingman first beat his man for pace on the outside before cutting in and scoring his second try under the sticks. With the Kelly conversion, the score now 40-5 after 33 minutes.
This was exciting to watch as the Brods cut loose. From the kick off Craven broke downfield and put the supporting Luke Browne over from 35 metres taking the score to 47-5 on 36 minutes.

There were to be no more scores before halftime but seemingly the Brods’ objectives of a bonus point win had been achieved. Despite limited possession, especially in the first 20 minutes played, Brods had woken up and turned on the style showing their vast superiority.

Following the half time oranges, the second half commenced with the Brods kicking of up the slope. The game was becoming a dour forward struggle and aided by a growing penalty count to the visitors, the Brods were becoming drawn into the visitors’ game plan.
Brods were now calling on their bench and substitutions were made giving their young debutants chance to show what they could do. On 50 minutes the smiles returned to the home fans’ faces when Dom Georgiou broke from halfway to outpace the visiting defence and score a glorious try under the posts. With the conversion the score now 54-5.

At this point the game changed. For some reason the Brods appeared to have upset the referee either by not listening or remonstrating too vigorously against decisions, but the Brods were certainly not on the official’s wavelength. The result was that in the last 30 minutes of the half the Brods conceded over 30 penalties and freekicks, giving the opposition almost 100 per cent possession. Unsurprisingly, the Brods conceded 3 late tries and the final score of 54-24 was a little flattering to the visitors. The coaching team will be aware that they must correct this and will be analysing today’s action before next weeks, big test with the visit of Morley.

Despite the second half leaving a bad taste in their mouths, the supporting Brods will be relishing the visit of Morley and hoping to progress in the play offs.

Gordon Feather
12 April 26